Identification tags and their manufacture

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a §371 national stage entry of International Application No. PCT/NZ2013/000156, filed Sep. 4, 2013, which claims priority to New Zealand Patent Application No. 602440, filed Sep. 14, 2012, and New Zealand Patent Application No. 606165 filed Jan. 23, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

This invention relates to identification tags and their manufacture. More especially, female identification tags.

The present invention will be described particularly in respect of an overmoulded animal female identification tag but it is to be understood that the invention has application for a wide variety of identification tags.

When a male tag engages with a female tag, it is important that the engagement is secure so that the tags are not readily detached, either accidentally, or intentionally for some fraudulent purpose.

To facilitate that secure engagement, various past proposals have been made. For example, in New Zealand patent 504742 (Allflex) the female tag includes a female opening with a plurality of projections directed inwardly of a hard boss, of which the opening forms part, so that the male head, after entry into the female opening, is retained by the projections or “fingers”. A problem with that proposal is that the female flag is tied to the hard boss only in a small area around the edge of the female opening.

Another proposal, in New Zealand patent 236752 (Stafford et al.), provides a female opening in the form of a domed split washer of resilient material, the outer peripheral edge of the washer being embedded in the soft plastics of the outer boss and female flag. That proposal, the manner of manufacture of which is unclear, has no provision for the inclusion of a hard material to protect the male head after insertion into the female tag in order to make the tag more tamper proof.

The present invention proposes the use of a female tag base section, including projections or “fingers”, such as in Allflex referred to above. A major advantage of such fingers is that they enable the tag to be used in very cold environments, including sub-zero temperatures. A continuous female opening would, in such temperatures, resist the entry of the male head. It is to be appreciated that where the term “projections” or “fingers” is used in the present specification, it is intended to encompass all suitable designs for this purpose, including the presence of existing slots or gaps between discrete projections, or lines of weakness or perforations which would be able to fracture on the entry of the male head.

It is thus an object of a preferred embodiment of the invention to provide a method of manufacture of a female identification tag and/or tags manufactured thereby, which will overcome, or alleviate, problems in such manufacture or tags to date, or which at least will provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of the invention in all its embodiments will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of manufacture of a female identification tag includes: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none"><li id="ul0001-0001" num="0000"><ul id="ul0002" list-style="none"><li id="ul0002-0001" num="0011">i. positioning within an open moulding tool a female base section including an opening with inwardly directed projections;</li><li id="ul0002-0002" num="0012">ii. closing the moulding tool and its core over the female base section to define areas for overmoulding;</li><li id="ul0002-0003" num="0013">iii. filling the defined areas with the overmoulding material so as to include the formation of a boss as part of a female tag;</li><li id="ul0002-0004" num="0014">iv. opening the moulding tool and provide for its core to move through an upper opening formed in the boss; and</li><li id="ul0002-0005" num="0015">v. ejecting the female tag from the open tool.</li></ul></li></ul>

Optionally the female base section and an RFID component in the above method are provided as a single unit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a female identification tag includes a female base section having an opening with a plurality of inwardly directed projections which, in use, will enable a head of a male tag to pass therethrough but to be subsequently retained by the projections, said base section being provided with an upwardly directed boss of an at least partially flexible material, said boss having an upper opening adapted to receive therein an insert of a substantially hard material in order to facilitate the tamper proofing of the female tag after its engagement with the male tag.

Optionally the female base section and an RFID component in the above tag are provided as a single unit.

According to a further aspect of the present invention a method of manufacture of a female identification tag or a female identification tag, is substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of the embodiments of the invention and/or as described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Further aspects of this invention, which should be considered in all its novel aspects, will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>1</b><i>b</i>: show plan and cross sectional views of a female base section according to one possible embodiment of the invention and including an RFID coil;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>: shows an exploded view of the base section of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>: shows very diagrammatically an open moulding tool with a core, for use in the manufacture of a female tag and according to one possible embodiment of the invention;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>: shows the moulding tool of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> but with the female base section loaded;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>: shows the moulding tool loaded and about to close;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>: shows the moulding tool closed prior to overmoulding;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>: shows the moulding tool with the overmoulding filling the cavities defined by the moulding tool;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>: shows the moulding tool opening but with no movement of the core;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>: shows the moulding tool opening and with the core rotating as it ejects through the opening at the top of the boss which has been formed;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>: shows the moulding tool open and with the core fully ejected;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>: shows the moulding tool fully open and with the female tag ejected;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>: shows a female tag according to one possible embodiment of the invention with a top cap about to be inserted and welded;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 13<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>13</b><i>b</i>: show plan and cross-sectional views of the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> with the top cap welded in position;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref>: shows a female tag according to another possible embodiment of the invention but utilising a base section without an RFID coil;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref>: shows the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> with its base section as formed by overmoulding;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>: shows a female tag of the type shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref> but with a top cap about to be inserted;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 17<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>17</b><i>b</i>: show plan and cross-sectional views of the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> with the top cap inserted and welded;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref>: shows a further possible embodiment of the invention but with a top cap which is a snap fit in the boss of the female tag and further shows diagrammatically a male tag;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 19<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>19</b><i>b</i>: show plan and cross-sectional views of the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 18</figref> with the top cap snap fitted into position;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref>: shows a female tag according to a further embodiment of the invention in which the top cap is inserted through the base section of the female tag;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 21<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>21</b><i>b</i>: show the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 20</figref> following the insertion of the insert through the base section of the female tag;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>22</b><i>b</i>: show another possible embodiment of the invention, being a modified design of that of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20 and 21</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 23<i>a</i>-<i>e</i></figref>: show exploded side and cross-sectional views of a female tag according to a further possible embodiment of the invention with the female tag in the form of a button tag, and, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 23<i>b</i>-<i>e</i></figref>, with the insert progressively being inserted through the base section of the female tag;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 24<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>24</b><i>b</i>: show plan and cross-sectional views of a female tag according to a further possible embodiment of the invention with the female tag in the form of a button tag;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 25</figref>: shows an exploded view of the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 24</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26<i>a </i></figref>&amp; <b>26</b><i>b</i>: show side and cross-sectional views of a female tag according to a further possible embodiment of the invention in which the boss has thick walls.

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 27</figref><i>a, b, c </i>&amp; <i>d</i>: show respectively, plan, side, underneath and cross sectional views of a female tag according to another possible embodiment of the invention and including an RFID coil;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 28<i>a, b </i></figref>&amp; <i>c</i>: shows an exploded view of the female tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 27</figref>;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref>: shows a cross sectional view of the female tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, engaged with a male tag;

<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref>: shows an RFID coil being wound on the base section of the female tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>;

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE EMBODIMENTS

As mentioned above, the present invention is directed towards female identification tags especially for animals, which include a base section provided, or providable, with a plurality of projections around the female opening which can flex to enable the entry of the head of the male tag but can then resist the male tag head being pulled out. This provides a level of tamper proofing which is then, in preferred embodiments of the invention, supplemented by the provision of a hard insert positioned within a relatively soft boss formed above the base section of the female tag. By the use of such flexible projections at the female opening, the tags of the present invention are able to be used in very cold environments. This is not possible with female tags having a continuous opening. The tamper proofing may, if required, be further improved by the stem of the male tag being weakened so that it will fracture if undue force attempts to separate the male and female tags. The method of manufacture of the tags provided by the present invention also enables a multitude of various designs of female tags to be used, all of them using an essentially similar female base section, although this may or may not be provided with an RFID coil or the like.

Turning therefore to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref> of the accompanying drawings, a female tag base section is referenced generally by arrow <b>1</b>. In this embodiment the base section <b>1</b> includes a base <b>2</b> with a substantially central opening <b>3</b> around which are positioned a plurality of inwardly directed inclined projections or fingers <b>4</b>. These fingers <b>4</b> may be spaced apart from one another by actual slots <b>5</b> or, it is envisaged, they may be separated by lines of weakness or perforations so that the fingers <b>5</b> are formed as the male head enters the female opening <b>3</b>. The base <b>2</b> has a peripheral chamber adapted to accommodate an RFID coil <b>6</b>. An upper cover plate <b>7</b> completes the assembly. As will become clear later, this particular design of base section <b>1</b> is given only by way of example. In alternative embodiments the RFID coil could be omitted. The only essential feature of the base section <b>1</b> is that it includes a plurality of projections or fingers <b>4</b>.

Turning then to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 3 to 11</figref>, a moulding tool includes upper and lower tool member parts <b>8</b> and <b>9</b>, movable relative to one another, and a core <b>10</b> movable relative to both the mould parts <b>8</b> and <b>9</b>. The mould parts <b>8</b> and <b>9</b> are each shown with appropriate recesses or cavities <b>14</b> which together with the core <b>10</b> will define the shape of the moulded tag, once the flowable plastics material has flowed into the recesses <b>14</b>, <b>14</b>B.

In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a base section <b>1</b>, such as that described in respect of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1 and 2</figref>, has been positioned in the lower mould part <b>9</b> before, as is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the core <b>10</b> has moved into position over the base section <b>1</b>. Then, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>, the tool is closed prior to overmoulding commencing.

Referring then to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref>, the flowable plastic material is shown having filled the recesses provided by the mould parts <b>8</b> and <b>9</b> and the cavity defined around the core <b>10</b>, so as to form a flag <b>11</b>, a boss <b>12</b> and with overmoulded material around and within the base section <b>1</b>. In forming the flag <b>11</b>, the overmoulded material has flowed into recess <b>14</b>B (see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref>). If a “button” tag were required. i.e. one with no flag, then the recess <b>14</b>B would be omitted. Then, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref>, the tool members <b>8</b> and <b>9</b> are shown opening, although the core <b>10</b> remains stationary. Then, in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the core <b>10</b> starts to eject, moving through the flexible opening <b>13</b> formed at the top of the soft boss <b>12</b>. Preferably, as shown by arrow ‘A’ in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref>, the core <b>10</b> is caused to rotate as it moves through the flexible opening <b>13</b> in order to break the bond between the plastics material and the core <b>10</b>. Turning then to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>, the core <b>10</b> has fully ejected and the soft boss opening <b>13</b> has returned to its original size.

Referring then to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref>, a fully formed female tag <b>15</b>, with its large flag <b>11</b> and soft boss <b>12</b>, is shown being ejected from the fully open moulding tool.

In accordance with the normal moulding practice, additional ejector pins and ejector sleeves (not shown) would be included as part of the mould.

Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 12 and 13</figref>, a female tag <b>15</b>, manufactured as hereinbefore described, may subsequently have a hard cap <b>17</b> welded, suitably by ultrasonic or high frequency welding, to the top of the soft boss <b>12</b>. The insert or cap <b>17</b> may be of a hard grade polyurethane (TPU), while the softer material of the overmoulding may be, for example, a softer grade of TPU. As will be seen, particularly in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13<i>b</i></figref>, a male tag <b>16</b> has its head <b>27</b> retained by the fingers <b>4</b> within the chamber defined by the soft boss <b>12</b>, following the entry of the head <b>17</b> into the female tag <b>15</b>.

As mentioned previously, the female tag <b>15</b> may, in alternative embodiments, not have an RFID capability so that, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 14 and 15</figref>, the base section <b>1</b> used in the manufacture of the tag <b>15</b> may be absent any RFID coil. Such a tag, also shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 16 and 17</figref>, may also have a hard top cap or insert <b>17</b> welded over the opening <b>13</b> of the soft boss <b>12</b>.

In an alternative embodiment as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 18 and 19</figref>, another design of hard top cap or insert <b>18</b> may be used to close the opening <b>13</b> at the top of the soft boss <b>12</b>. As seen, the top cap <b>18</b> may include a bottom flange <b>19</b> which can engage in a snap-fit within a recess <b>20</b> provided on an inner wall of the soft boss <b>12</b>, as shown particularly in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 19<i>b</i></figref>. In a further alternative embodiment, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 20 and 21</figref>, another form of hard insert <b>21</b> is shown being positioned, so as to close the opening <b>13</b> of the soft boss <b>12</b>, through the base of the female tag <b>15</b>. The insert <b>21</b> has a projection <b>22</b> which fits within the aperture <b>13</b> of the boss <b>12</b> and a flange <b>23</b> which can abut against a shoulder <b>24</b> provided on an inner wall of the soft boss <b>12</b>, see particularly <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 21</figref><i>b. </i>

As mentioned previously, the female tag <b>15</b> may in alternative embodiments not have a flag <b>11</b> but instead be in the form of a button tag, such as referenced generally by <b>24</b> in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 22 and 23</figref>, otherwise the same reference numerals being used where appropriate. This button tag <b>24</b>, as seen particularly in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23<i>a</i></figref>, includes an RFID coil <b>6</b> and an insert <b>21</b> insertable through the base of the female tag <b>24</b> in order to close off the opening <b>13</b> of the soft boss <b>12</b>. In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 23</figref><i>b, c, d </i>and <i>e</i>, the insert <b>21</b> is shown progressively moving into position within the soft boss <b>12</b>, through the base section <b>1</b> of the female tag <b>24</b>, the fingers on the insert <b>21</b> able to compress to facilitate its progress. An undercut or ledge <b>28</b>, see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 23<i>e</i></figref>, assists in holding the insert <b>21</b> in position.

Then in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 24 and 25</figref>, the button tag <b>24</b> is shown, in an alternative embodiment, with a top cap or insert <b>17</b> which is welded to the top of the soft boss <b>12</b>.

Turning then to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 26<i>a </i>and 26<i>b</i></figref>, in an alternative embodiment, instead of utilising a hard insert or cap <b>17</b> or <b>21</b>, the aperture <b>13</b> at the top of the boss <b>25</b> may be left open but the tamper proofing of the female tag <b>24</b> can be improved by including a thick wall <b>29</b> to resist attempts to access the head of the male tag <b>16</b> and intentionally push out the head past the fingers or projections <b>4</b>.

Turning now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 27 and 28</figref> of the accompanying drawings, a female tag is referenced generally by arrow <b>101</b>. In this embodiment the tag <b>101</b> includes a base <b>102</b> with a substantially central opening <b>103</b> around which are positioned a plurality of inwardly directed inclined projections or fingers <b>104</b>. These fingers <b>104</b> may be spaced apart from one another by actual slots <b>105</b> or, it is envisaged, they may be separated by lines of weakness or perforations so that the fingers <b>105</b> are formed as the male head enters the female opening <b>103</b>. The base <b>102</b> has been formed by overmoulding through and about a base section <b>117</b> which can accommodate an RFID component such as coil <b>106</b>. As shown, the base section <b>117</b> is fully enclosed by the overmoulding to form the base <b>102</b>.

The overmoulding has also provided a boss <b>112</b> which may, as shown, accommodate a hard insert <b>115</b>, a projection <b>124</b> of the insert <b>115</b> being located in the top aperture <b>113</b> of the boss <b>112</b>.

In <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 29</figref>, a male tag <b>116</b> with a stem <b>125</b> is shown with its head <b>120</b> and hard insert <b>119</b>, located within the female tag <b>101</b> and held by the fingers <b>104</b>.

The insert <b>115</b> may include, see <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 28</figref> especially, a skirt <b>123</b> with slots <b>122</b>, to facilitate its insertion into the boss <b>112</b> through the aperture <b>103</b> in the base <b>102</b>.

In manufacturing the tag of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 27 and 28</figref>, and referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, the base section <b>117</b>, will be positioned in the lower mould part <b>109</b> before the core <b>110</b> is moved into position over the base section <b>117</b>. The tool is then closed prior to overmoulding commencing as described above until finally, when the core <b>110</b> starts to eject, it moves through the flexible opening <b>113</b> formed at the top of the soft boss <b>112</b>.

Referring now to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 30</figref>, in one possible embodiment, the RFID component <b>106</b> of the female tag <b>102</b>, is provided as an RFID coil <b>106</b> which has been wound on a base former or bobbin <b>107</b> to form the base section <b>117</b>. The base former <b>107</b> is shown positioned on a spindle <b>111</b> which may be rotated as the copper wire or the like <b>106</b>A is wound onto the base former <b>107</b> between its spaced apart flanges <b>118</b>.

In providing the base section <b>117</b> as a single part with the fingers <b>104</b>, consisting of the former or bobbin <b>107</b> and the coil <b>106</b>, instead of a multiple part assembly, such as in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> for example, a less costly manufacture can result. It is envisaged that this embodiment of the present invention may be particularly suitable for tags intended for use with sheep where a boss insert <b>15</b> may not be required.

Although a “button” type design has been described above, it will be appreciated that the present invention has application for any design of tag, including of the alternative large “flag” type.

It will be appreciated from the above description that the present invention enables the use of fingers or projections in the female opening for a large variety of female tags, which can be suitable for use in all environments, even those with sub-zero temperatures. The invention includes a method of manufacture of those female tags.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.